Why We Need Advent

This reflection was inspired by a comment on a friend's Facebook post. He was reminding us that the 12 days of Christmas begin with Christmas rather than some grand countdown to Christmas. Someone replied that pastors are fighting a losing battle with Advent, especially when it boils down to simply not singing Christmas hymns during Advent. She suggested that we move Advent back to November and celebrate Christmas the whole month of December. I took this to mean, "Since the culture celebrates Christmas from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, why not take advantage of this?"

Without weighing in on these particular issues, I would like to make a case for keeping Advent. And I would like to approach it from a simple perspective: Even when it comes to Christmas, do we simply want to do what the world around us is doing? When it comes to cheerily singing carols: sure. When it comes to trimming the tree and putting up decorations: sure. But when it comes to the madness of "pre-Christmas"--at least as I observe it--I don't think so.

There is a dark side to celebrating Christmas from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day, and we all know it. It is the hatred that spews forth in a parking lot as we all rush to get those gifts to put under the tree. It is the unkind word spoken from a parent under the weight of too many expectations, impossible to fulfill. It is the mad clamoring after things visible, when the deepest hunger of our souls is for the One who is invisible. It is, at its worst, the sheer emptiness of sin.

Advent is like a splash of cool water to wake us up. It is like the tender glow of a candle to give us true light. Advent refuses to be satisfied with all this pre-Christmas madness. Advent invites us to lift our eyes heavenward: to marvel at the God who has become human and to long for his coming again. Advent strips down all the decorations and busy-ness so we can join the shepherds in the humble manger. Advent prepares us to be a people fit for our King.

Perhaps Advent is best described, ironically, in the words of the Christmas carol which sings: "... and fit us for heaven to live with Thee there."

Happy Advent. And Blessed Christmas (a little early!).